Page 141 of Secret Baby for the Mafia Don

The darkness creeps in from the edges of my vision. I've seen enough men die to know what's happening.

The cold spreading through my limbs.

The struggle to draw breath.

I hope I don’t meet my father in death. He’ll berate me for dying by taking a bullet meant for a woman. A woman I love, no less.

I wonder if this sacrifice will be enough to save her. If my death will free her from the dangers that have surrounded me all my life.

Or if it only seals her fate, making her a target for whoever was working with Frank.

They say your life flashes before your eyes before you die. Thank fuck that’s not happening now. I had to live my life once.

I don’t want to relive it.

But images of Gabriella do swim in my mind. Her flirty smile, sharp tongue, and zest for life. I hope our child inherits that from her.

My eyes close.

I love you. Both of you.

The words I’ve never said drift through my mind.

Then the darkness swallows me whole.

GABRIELLA

Roman yanks me away from Marco's bleeding body, dragging me toward the warehouse exit.

My legs move mechanically while my mind screams to stay with Marco.

"Let me go!" I struggle against Roman's iron grip.

"My men will handle it." His voice is clipped.

“He needs help.”

“The sooner you follow his orders for you to leave, the sooner that can happen. If I have to, I’ll toss you over my shoulder… come what may.”

Roman’s voice is terse, but I know the strain is worry.

He’s trying to do what Marco asked even though he doesn’t want to. He wants to help Marco too. I shouldn’t make it harder.

As he tugs me outside, everything blurs together.

The gunshot, Marco collapsing,

Frank's shocked expression before Marco shot him.

Marco took that bullet for me.

Minutes before, he’d acted like I was working with Frank.

Made vulgar inferences.

And then he stepped in front of a bullet.